Ex-US Open champion Gary Woodland wrote individual letters to his family in case he did not make it through brain surgery in 2024.
Woodland was diagnosed with a lesion on his brain in 2023, which had been causing months of crippling thoughts.
Woodland won the US Open in 2019 – which remains his most recent professional winGettyThe lesion had been pressing on the part of the brain which controls anxiety, leading him to experience constant unfounded fears of dying, along with sudden jolts, chills and tremors.
Five months after his symptoms first arose, Woodland underwent brain surgery – with doctors cutting a baseball-sized hole in his head to remove as much of the lesion as they could.
There were risks the golfer could be paralysed on the left side of his body, but the surgery was a success – and he was able to compete in all four majors in 2024.
His journey took another huge leap forward on Wednesday after Team USA Ryder Cup skipper Keegan Bradley named him as his fifth and final vice-captain.
“I have an incredible amount of respect and admiration for Gary and all he has accomplished in this game,” said Bradley. “As a major champion and someone who is still competing at a high level, he is well aware of the demands of performing on golf’s biggest stages.
“He will be a valuable leader for us over the coming months and throughout the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black.”
Woodland joins Jim Furyk, Kevin Kisner, Webb Simpson and Brandt Snedeker as vice-captains when Team Europe jets in for the 45th edition of the iconic tournament in September.
Woodland’s health ordeal is documented in heartbreaking detail in Netflix’s Full Swing.
He breaks down in tears when revealing that he wrote letters to his wife and three kids before going into surgery – in case he did not survive.
“What’s got me through this journey has been my family,” Woodland said.
Netflix tell the full story of the American’s year from hell in season three of Full Swing“It was five days before surgery. I was in my room and I decided to write these letters.
“I started with the kids. I wanted them to know that all I’d ever dreamed of was being a professional athlete, but being their dad was more than anything I could ever dream of.
“Not being able to walk the girls down the aisle and be there for them and see them live their dreams – just know that I’m with you.
“And the same to my son. Don’t ever be afraid to ask for help. Because that’s something I’ve struggled with in my life. And I just wanted him to know that.
“Then to my wife – I wouldn’t change anything. It was perfect.
“Those letters were the hardest thing I’ve ever done.”
Woodland made the cut at the PGA Championship and The Open in 2024Getty Bradley is set to captain the USA at the Ryder Cup later this yearGettyThe episode ends with Woodland being given positive news after an MRI scan which took place in October 2024, having felt progressively better throughout his recovery from the surgery.
He is delighted when given the green light to lower the dosage of anti-seizure medication which had been deliberately slowing his brain down.
It is clear to see that Woodland is one of the most-loved players on the PGA Tour, with his positive and charismatic personality shining through despite such hardship.
Speaking through tears, the four-time Tour winner finishes the episode by saying: “As an athlete, you never take time to reflect – and I’ve had time to reflect.
“I’m so proud of myself. And I don’t think I’ve ever said that I’m proud of myself.
“This has been the hardest year of my life by far – but I fought through it.
“There were a lot of times when I didn’t know if it was going to get better, because every day was horrible.
“It was hard to be around my kids because my brain couldn’t withstand the stimulation and the excitement.
“The last three weeks is the first time in a year that I’ve been able to spend a full day around my family and not have to leave and go lie down.
“I’m starting to see light at the end of the tunnel. And it’s what the fight’s been for.
“I’m starting to get my life back. And that’s what it’s all about.”
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